The Productivity Commission has been asked by the Australian Government to conduct five inquiries to identify priority reforms under their five pillar productivity growth agenda. This introduction to the reports explores why reigniting productivity is essential to improving wellbeing and supporting strong, resilient and sustainable economic growth.

The report examines the performance of the Australian mental health system, the prevalence of mental health challenges and the drivers behind it. It shows a steady rise in financial stress and the number of Australians delaying mental health care due to cost.

This paper supports more in depth and informed discussion of housing vacancy and how it could be addressed in New South Wales. The policies summarised include monitoring, vacant housing strategies, rental agreements, tax incentives, vacant housing taxes, and compulsory requisition or purchase. Case studies and research findings are included.

This report highlights the topical issue of employers’ experiences with retention issues providing insights across industries and occupation groups. It provides an overview, staff replacement rates, reasons for replacing staff, impacts on businesses and strategies used to retain staff. It finds that high staff turnover is hurting productivity and pushing up recruitment and training costs.

This research examined the experiences of children and young people aged between 10 and 17 who are respondents to Family Violence Intervention Orders and Personal Safety Intervention Orders in Victoria. The report shows that the intervention order system needs a rethink for children and young people. It makes four key findings and outlines what needs...